Admission Requirements
- General admission to graduate study (for criteria, refer to Admission to Graduate Study).
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the baccalaureate degree awarding final transcript or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on the master's degree awarding final transcript for those who have completed a previous master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required.
- A valid teaching certificate or statement of eligibility.
Program Competencies
The following list includes the student competencies for the MAE program and the course(s) in which each competency is discussed (D) and/or contains a key assessment (KA).
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Accesses and uses data literacy and research to improve practice and student learning [EDF 600 (KA) EDGC 661 (D)]
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Develops contextual understanding of school, students, teaching and learning [EDF 680 (KA) EDF 610 (KA) EDF 611 (KA) EDUC 606 (D)]
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Facilitates improvements in instruction and student learning [EDUC 606 (KA) EDUC 640 (KA)]
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Promotes the use of assessments for school and district improvement [EDF 600 (D) EDGC 661 (KA) EDF 610 (D) EDF 611 (D)]
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Designs curriculum to support student, school and district improvement [EDUC 640 (KA) EDF 610 (D) EDF 611 (D) EDF 680 EDUC 606 (KA)]
Assessment
- A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 is required for the degree and no credit is allowed for a mark below "C."
- Completion of the objective Exit Exam with a score of 70% or higher.
Program Requirements
Required Core
Professional Core
| EDF 600 | Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| EDF 610 | Advanced Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDF 680 | History and Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Advanced Teaching and Learning Core
| EDUC 606 | Curriculum and Instructional Design P-12 | 3 |
| EDUC 640 | Contemporary Instructional Practices P-12 | 3 |
| EDGC 661 | Measurement Principles and Techniques | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Concentrations - choose one
1. Alternate Area
This concentration is designed for Master’s of Arts in Education candidates who want to add skills and knowledge not defined in the other areas of concentration. For example, a candidate may want to pursue advanced courses related to assessment or instructional design. The candidate works with his or her advisor to identify a graduate faculty consultant with expertise in the candidate’s concentration. The candidate, advisor, faculty consultant (who may be the advisor) and department chairs complete and sign the curriculum contract that lists the approved courses for the alternative concentration.
The selected concentration MUST: 1. Enhance the competency of the initial teaching certification; 2. Add a certification area not covered by the initial certificate; or 3. Advance professionally to a higher position. This concentration requires a signed curriculum contract that lists the courses required in the alternative concentration.
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
2. Communications
Choose 12 hours from any COMM 600-level courses
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
3. English/Language Arts
Choose 12 hours from any ENG 600-level courses
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
4. Gifted Education (with Gifted endorsement)
| EDSP 641 | Conceptions and Identification of Gifted Children and Youth | 3 |
| EDSP 642 | Meeting the Individual Needs of Gifted Children and Youth | 3 |
| EDSP 643 | Teaching the Gifted Student | 3 |
| EDSP 645 | Practicum in Gifted Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
NOTE: Requires successful completion of the PRAXIS. Program completion will add the gifted education endorsement to the certificate.
5. Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE)
| EDEC 627 | Infant and Toddler Curriculum | 3 |
| EDEC 637 | Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDSP 605 | Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| IECE 615 | Families and Young Children | 3 |
| IECE 631 | Guidance for Young Children | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
6. Interdisciplinary P-5
| EDEL 627 | Reading in the Elementary School | 3 |
| MATH 631 | Problem Solving for the Elementary Teacher | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Choose 6 hours from the following:
| EDUC 622 | Trends and Practices in P-12 Social Studies | 3 |
| EDEL 623 | Advanced Language Arts for the Elementary Teacher | 3 |
| EDEL 629 | Literature Across Curriculum | 3 |
| SCI 690 | Advanced Science for the Elementary School Teacher | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
7. Literacy Specialist (with Literacy endorsement)
Choose one of the following two options (six hours):
NOTE: The Literacy Specialist Endorsement concentration requires successful completion of the PRAXIS. The concentration will add the literacy specialist endorsement to the candidate's certificate.
8. Rural Education
| SOC 659 | Social Change in Appalachia | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Choose 9 hours from the following:
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
9. School Community Leader
| EDIL 621 | Research for Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDIL 635 | Understanding Professional Responsibilities of Teacher Leaders | 3 |
| EDIL 636 | Mentoring for Improved Results | 3 |
| EDIL 638 | Designing and Implementing Professional Development | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
10. School Health
Choose 12 hours from any HLTH 600-level courses.
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
11. Social Studies
Choose 12 hours from the following:
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
12. Sociology
Choose 12 hours from any SOC 600-level courses
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.
13. Special Education
| EDSP 621 | Operation of Special Education Programs | 3 |
| EDSP 630 | Universal Design for Learning | 3 |
| EDSP 631 | Advanced Behavior Management | 3 |
| EDSP 632 | Applied Research in Special Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
NOTE: This degree will NOT change the area in which a candidate is certified to teach.